2018 Ariens Snow Blower Review – What’s New – Which One Is Best For You?

What’s New For 2018 Ariens Snow Blowers?

For the last two years, Ariens has been very busy. Last year alone, they added the Classic Series, a professional single stage, RapidTrak, new engines on the Compact Series and added EFI engines to the commercial models. The year before they improved the Deluxe and Platinum models. In fact, they made so many significant improvements that many of the other brands have gone back to the “drawing board” and are introducing new models this year and next just so they can stay competitive.

So what’s new?

RapidTrak on a Residential Model!: This exciting new track drive system was an over-whelming hit when it was introduced on the Pro models last year. RapidTrak gives you the speed and maneuverability of a wheeled snow blower with the traction and drift digging power of a tracked machine. This new residential model gives you the ability to clear steep, sloped driveways quickly and easily. Ariens coupled the RapidTrak with a 369cc Ariens AX engine and the 14 inch SHO Impeller to give you up to 55′ of throwing distance and up to 77 tons per hour clearing capacity. (Compare that to the more expensive Honda HSS928AT / HSS928ATD with a 270cc engine, 12-inch impeller, 57 tons per hour max capacity and old 2-point track drive) If you have large areas that need to be cleared, sidewalks that get snow plowed on them, a sloped driveway or just want the best snow blower this is the one. You can check out more about the RapidTrak here: Ariens RapidTrak

How this article is laid out:

This is a very comprehensive article so it will take you a while to read through it. I’m going to start with the new Classic Series and Compact Series models. After that, I’ll review the heavy-duty Deluxe and high-performance Platinum models. Then the Professional (Commercial) models including the Professional 21 single stage. I’ll leave the single stage Path Pro for last.

Reading Ariens Snow Blower Reviews:

When you read snow blower reviews you are going to find reviews that state “the engine would not start,” “the engine won’t stay running.” and “the engine runs rough.” You will find these reviews for all brands and sizes of snow blowers. 98% of the time engine problems with name brand snow blowers are either fuel or operator related. Snow engines run/operate differently than your lawn mower engine and because of that I suggest educating yourself on how to store fuel, how to keep your fuel clean and how/why your snow blower engine runs the way it does will go a long way to liking your new snow blower. Please read this article to learn more: Buying A New Snow Blower FAQS – Read This For The Truth

Aggregate reviews. Many websites scour the web for reviews and then post them on their website. In other cases, one disgruntled owner will write the same or similar review in as many places as they can. So what you end up is many reviews about one specific issue from only one person. I see this quite a bit on The Home Depot and Ariens sites. Just remember, for every bad review there are thousands of Ariens snow blowers sold and doing well. Please read the date the review was written and the wording to determine if there is an actual problem.

Auto-Turn Problems. The Auto-Turn (DI300 differential) is now used in many snow blowers from many different manufacturers. (They call it automatic steering) All Auto-Turn problems were fixed three years ago. So if you read or hear anyone slamming Ariens because of the Auto-Turn just walk away.

Don’t bother to read Ariens reviews that are negative and more than 2 years old. Just so you know, Ariens is a company that really listens to their dealers, reads reviews and interacts on Social media. So, when there is an issue they identify it quickly, immediately root cause it and determine if there is a product problem or training issue. Then it gets fixed.

By The Way – All Opinions are Mine.

Keeping up with snow blowers is almost a full-time job. The U.S. manufactures currently sell hundreds of different models made here in the U.S. alone. In addition, there are always another dozen or so foreign manufactures trying to wedge their way into your pocketbook. By the way – a quality $500 two-stage snow blower no longer exists. The cheapest 2-stage snow blower I can recommend is now $699.

I normally spend most of July and August talking to the different snow blower manufactures about the new models they have coming for the fall. Usually, in September the manufacturers are shipping the new models to the dealers and I spend the time I need to inspect the new models as local dealers put them out on the sales floor. Sometimes that also involves traveling to the manufactures assembly plants or corporate offices to look at, demo and talk to the snow product managers. In October, I travel to the GIE-EXPO in Louisville, KY. GIE-EXPO is the largest lawn and garden equipment dealer show. There I get a chance to demo machines plus talk to the engineers and company management about all the features, fixes and new rumors.

In addition, I keep a dozen or so of the current snow blowers at my home for testing and answering your questions. I use these snow blowers when it snows. You can find those videos on YouTube. When you go over there please subscribe to my YouTube channel

So Let’s Get Started!

2018 Ariens Classic/Compact Series

Ariens Classic: If you are looking for a good machine that will clear your 2-car, 60-80 foot driveway, sidewalks, patio and also go out on the lawn to clear a section for your dogs. The Classic snow blower can easily be adjusted for gravel driveways. I recommend this size for areas of the country like Chicago, Omaha, Detroit, Columbus, Pittsburgh and Long Island that average 40 to 60 inches of snow per year.

The Classic is an all-metal snow blower. The 4-way chute, dash, and all other parts are metal. That in of itself sets it apart from the other snow blowers in it’s price range. It has a high-speed impeller and according to my calculations will actually move more snow per hour than the $2399 Honda HSS724AW/HSS724AWD. It’s really a good value at $699.

I would compare the Ariens Classic to the Craftsman 24 inch, Toro Powermax 724, Troy-Bilt Storm 2460, Cub Cadet 524 SW, and Husqvarna ST224. All of these snow blowers including the Ariens are solid axle snow blowers and have no power steering. The Ariens Classic one of the lightest 24 inch 2-stage snow blowers in this group so most people can turn it without an issue.

Ariens Compact: The Compact series adds a few features including the legendary Ariens cast iron gear case, larger tires, and a larger 223cc engine. This snow blower compares to the Toro Power Max 824 and Husqvarna ST324P. If you have watched my videos on YouTubeyou see that the Classic or Compact will work just fine on my property and I’ll bet they’ll work well for you also.

Just one note: the Compact 24 Track is a solid axle snow blower. It has great traction for its size but without power steering, it can be very hard to turn. I don’t recommend it to anyone with a bad back or is not used to moving heavy machinery.

2018 Ariens Deluxe Series

Most 2 and 3-stage snow blowers use a 12 inch or smaller impeller. Most have relatively small discharge chutes. The Ariens Deluxe Series is different. If you are always complaining about your current snow blower plugging up I strongly suggest looking at the Deluxe Series with a 14-inch impeller. The Ariens Deluxe is an economical heavy-duty 2-stage snow blower that uses the large impeller and other components to give you an all metal, high-capacity, heavy-duty snow blower. If you are willing to spend a thousand dollars or more for a snow blower the Ariens Deluxe Series gives you a lot of bang for the buck.

It’s very, very hard to plug up the Deluxe Series.

These Deluxe Series work very well in areas that get moderate snowfall but the snow is typically heavier, wet snow and your yearly snow fall is 100 inches or less. Boston, West Virginia, Lake Erie shore, Muskegon, MI, Portage, IN, Alsip, IL, Flagstaff, AZ are areas of the country that get snow like this. This series also works well in places that get lots of drifts like southern Minnesota, Iowa, Indiana, Kansas and other Plains States. If you average more than 100 inches I suggest moving up to the Ariens Platinum or Professional Series. The Platinum and Pro models have a larger engine and high output impellers to move a lot of snow even faster.

Personally, I like the Auto-Turn feature on the Deluxe, Platinum and Professional Series a lot. Auto-Turn is power steering simplified. All you do is steer the snow blower with the handles. There are no triggers to pull, no extra cables to fray and little plastic levers to break.

I have a lot of readers ask, “What’s better – Auto-Turn or the Trigger Style Power Steering?” My answer is always, “It depends 🙂 ” If you have a long, crowned driveway or need to clear across a longer sloped area the trigger steering is nice because the snow blower continues in a straight line until you tell it to turn by pulling one of the little steering triggers. The Auto Turn works OK in those situations but you will need to have both hands on the handles when walking along those slopes.

Auto-Turn works really well if you have a lot of maneuvering to do. Curved driveways, wide driveways, and areas where you need to turn around often are great examples. You don’t have to think about pulling a trigger to steer, the snow blower does it automatically when you move the handles. The Auto Turn is so simple to use you don’t even know it’s there. If your spouse complains that the snow blower you have is too complicated, the Ariens Deluxe is a great alternative. You get the power and capacity you need without extra levers and stuff to mess with.

2018 Ariens Platinum Series

The Ariens Platinum Series takes the Deluxe snow blower and adds “creature features”, larger engines and high output impellers to give you snow blower that will pretty much take on any type of snow and amount of snow. It’s very, very hard to plug up the Platinum Series. For example, if you need the larger capacity of the Deluxe because your old machine plugs up all the time but also want heated handgrips, Quick Chute control, etc. the Platinum is the snow blower for you. In addition to more features, these snow blowers have over-the-top power and capacity for their size. If you ever get the chance to use one of these snow blowers on 20 inches of “Nore-easter” snow or Lake Tahoe snow you’ll quickly understand what I mean. I recommend these snow blowers for any “snow belt” area like Buffalo, NY, northern Idaho, Boston, Northern Michigan and so on.

If you see a picture in a newspaper on the Internet of an orange snow blower throwing snow up and over a 15 foot snow blank you can bet it’s one of these Platinum Series snow blowers.

Platinum 28 SHO RapidTrak! This snow blower is arguably the best 28 inch residential snow blower on the market. RapidTrak gives you the speed and maneuverability of a wheeled snow blower with the traction and drift digging power of a tracked machine. If you have large areas that need to be cleared, sidewalks that get snow plowed on them, a sloped driveway or just want the best snow blower this is the one. It is much faster than any other track drive snow blower on the market! Ariens coupled the RapidTrak with a 369cc Ariens AX engine and the 14 inch SHO Impeller to give you up to 55′ of throwing distance and up to 77 tons per hour clearing capacity. (Compare that to the more expensive Honda HSS928AT / HSS928ATD with a 270cc engine, 12-inch impeller, 57 tons per hour max capacity and old 2-point track drive) You can check out more about the RapidTrak here: Ariens RapidTrak

Model Name

Platinum 24 SHO

Platinum 24 SHO EFI

Platinum 30 SHO

Platinum 28 SHO RapidTrak

Ariens Model Item #

921050

921053

921051

921057

Also Sold at The Home Depot?

Dealer Only

Dealer Only

Dealer Only

Dealer Only

Amount/Type Of Snow

Snow Belt 120-200 in per yr

Snow Belt 120-200 in per yr

Snow Belt 120-200 in per yr

Snow Belt with steep slope

ENGINE BRAND

Ariens AX369 EFI

Ariens AX369

Ariens AX414

Ariens AX369

ENGINE POWER

369cc (17 ft/lbs)

369cc EFI/E-Gov (17 ft/lbs)

414cc Gen 3 (17 ft/lbs)

369cc EFI/E-Gov (17 ft/lbs)

STARTING SYSTEM

120V Electric

120V Electric

120V Electric

120V Electric

STAGE TYPE

Two Stage

Two Stage

Two Stage

Two Stage

CLEARING WIDTH

24 in

24 in

30 in

28 in

HOUSING HEIGHT

21 in (53.3 cm)

21 in (53.3 cm)

21 in (53.3 cm)

21 in (53.3 cm)

THROWING DISTANCE

3 ft – 55 ft (.9 – 15.2 m)

3 ft – 55 ft (.9 – 15.2 m)

3 ft – 55 ft (.9 – 15.2 m)

3 ft – 55 ft (.9 – 15.2 m)

CHUTE TURNING RADIUS

200°

200°

200°

200°

DEFLECTOR CONTROL

Remote

Remote

Remote

Remote

TIRE SIZE

16 in x 4.8 in

16 in x 4.8 in

16 in x 4.8 in

16 inch x 5.5 in RapidTrak

TIRE TYPE

Directional Snow Tread

Directional Snow Tread

Directional Snow Tread

Directional Snow Track

STEERING

Auto-Turn

Auto-Turn

Auto-Turn

Auto-Turn

DRIVE TYPE

Disc-O-Matic

Disc-O-Matic

Disc-O-Matic

Disc-O-Matic

SPEEDS

6 forward 2 reverse

6 forward 2 reverse

6 forward 2 reverse

6 forward 2 reverse

LENGTH

58 in

58 in

58 in

58 in

WIDTH

27 in

27 in

32.4 in

29 in

HEIGHT

45 in

45 in

45 in

45 in

WEIGHT

286 lbs

286 lbs

294 lbs

306 lbs

GEAR CASE

Cast Iron

Cast Iron

Cast Iron

Cast Iron

GEAR CASE WARRANTY

5yr Cons, 1yr Comm

5yr Cons, 1yr Comm

5yr Cons, 1yr Comm

5yr Cons, 1yr Comm

IMPELLER PROFILE

SHO Steel 3 Blade

SHO Steel 3 Blade

SHO Steel 3 Blade

SHO Steel 3 Blade

IMPELLER DIAMETER

14 in

14 in

14 in

14 in

AUGER DIAMETER

14 in

14 in

14 in

14 in

AUGER TYPE

Steel Serrated

Steel Serrated

Steel Serrated

Steel Serrated

SKID SHOES

Steel Reversible

Steel Reversible

Steel Reversible

Steel Reversible

SCRAPER BAR

Steel Adjustable

Steel Adjustable

Steel Adjustable

Steel Adjustable

PRODUCT WARRANTY

3 yr Consumer 90 Comm

3 yr Consumer 90 Comm

3 yr Consumer 90 Comm

3 yr Consumer 90 Comm

CHUTE ROTATION

Quick Turn

Quick Turn

Quick Turn

Quick Turn

TONS PER HOUR

73 Tons/Hour

73 Tons/Hour

83 Tons/Hour

77 Tons/Hour

TYPICAL PRICE

$1,499.00

$1,799.00

$1,799.00

$2,399.00

BUY AT HOME DEPOT LINK

2018 Ariens Professional Series

Other manufacturers have snowblowers that are named Pro. But these Ariens snow blowers are true Professional/Commercial snow blowers. Square tube, extra strong handlebars. Largest 16-inch serrated front auger. Choice of Hydrostatic or 6-speed Disk-O-Matic Drive. These snow blowers will clear up to 102 tons of snow per hour and throw snow 60 feet. (That is a higher capacity and throwing distance than the $8000 Honda HS1336iAS.) These are the biggest and baddest walk-behind snow blowers you can get.

Model Name

Professional 28

Professional 28 Hydro EFI

Professional 32

Professional 36 Hydro EFI

Ariens Model Item #

926065

926068

926071

926070

Also Sold at The Home Depot?

Dealer Only

Dealer Only

Dealer Only

Dealer Only

Amount/Type Of Snow

Commercial Snow Belt

Commercial Snow Belt

Commercial Snow Belt

Commercial Snow Belt

ENGINE BRAND

Ariens Polar Force B&S

Ariens AX420 EFI/E Gov

Ariens Polar Force B&S

Ariens AX420 EFI/E Gov

ENGINE POWER

420cc (21 ft/lbs)

420cc (21 ft/lbs)

420cc (21 ft/lbs)

420cc (21 ft/lbs)

STARTING SYSTEM

120V Electric

120V Electric

120V Electric

120V Electric

STAGE TYPE

Two Stage

Two Stage

Two Stage

Two Stage

CLEARING WIDTH

28 in

28 in

32 in

36 in

HOUSING HEIGHT

23.5 in (59.7 cm)

23.5 in (59.7 cm)

23.5 in (59.7 cm)

23.5 in (59.7 cm)

THROWING DISTANCE

3 ft – 60 ft (.9 – 18.2 m)

3 ft – 60 ft (.9 – 18.2 m)

3 ft – 60 ft (.9 – 18.2 m)

3 ft – 60 ft (.9 – 18.2 m)

CHUTE TURNING RADIUS

200°

200°

200°

200°

DEFLECTOR CONTROL

Remote

Remote

Remote

Remote

TIRE SIZE

16 in x 4.8 in

16 in x 4.8 in

16 in x 6.5 in

16 in x 6.5 in

TIRE TYPE

Directional Snow Tread

Directional Snow Tread

Directional Snow Tread

Directional Snow Tread

STEERING

Auto-Turn

Auto-Turn

Auto-Turn

Auto-Turn

DRIVE TYPE

Disc-O-Matic

Hydrostatic

Disc-O-Matic

Hydrostatic

SPEEDS

6 forward 2 reverse

Variable

6 forward 2 reverse

Variable

LENGTH

60 in

60 in

60 in

60 in

WIDTH

30.2 in

30.2 in

34.2 in

38.2 in

HEIGHT

47 in

47 in

47 in

47 in

WEIGHT

339 lbs

352 lbs

333 lbs

353 lbs

GEAR CASE

Cast Iron

Cast Iron

Cast Iron

Cast Iron

GEAR CASE WARRANTY

5yr Cons, 5yr Comm

5yr Cons, 5yr Comm

5yr Cons, 5yr Comm

5yr Cons, 5yr Comm

IMPELLER PROFILE

High-Speed Steel 3 Blade

High-Speed Steel 3 Blade

High-Speed Steel 3 Blade

High-Speed Steel 3 Blade

IMPELLER DIAMETER

14 in

14 in

14 in

14 in

AUGER DIAMETER

16 in

16 in

16 in

16 in

AUGER TYPE

Steel Serrated

Steel Serrated

Steel Serrated

Steel Serrated

SKID SHOES

Cast Iron Reversible

Cast Iron Reversible

Cast Iron Reversible

Cast Iron Reversible

SCRAPER BAR

Steel Adjustable

Steel Adjustable

Steel Adjustable

Steel Adjustable

PRODUCT WARRANTY

3 yr Consumer 1 yr Comm

3 yr Consumer 1 yr Comm

3 yr Consumer 1 yr Comm

3 yr Consumer 1 yr Comm

CHUTE ROTATION

Quick Turn

Quick Turn

Quick Turn

Quick Turn

TONS PER HOUR

79 Tons/Hour

79 Tons/Hour

91 Tons/Hour

102 Tons/Hour

TYPICAL PRICE

$2,199.00

$2,799.00

$2,499.00

$3,499.00

BUY AT HOME DEPOT LINK

2018 Ariens Professional RapidTrak

The new Ariens RapidTrak system will not only give you the digging traction and flotation of a tracked snow blower but also the speed and ease of turning of a wheeled machine. Combined with a heavy-duty hydrostatic transmission and Auto Turn you can adjust the speed of this snow blower to whatever you need from a slow crawl to a fast walking pace and immediately change direction without stopping the snow blower.

RapidTrak has three positions or modes. 1. In regular mode, the track is flat against the ground for good traction when clearing snow. 2. In wheel mode, pull a small trigger on the right handle and the rear of the track is raised giving you the same “footprint” as a regular tire. This allows it to be just as easy to turn as a wheeled unit. 3. The third position, called “dig-in mode” puts all the weight of the snow blower on the rear portion of the track. This gives you the ultimate in pushing and digging power when working with hard packed drifts and scraping off driven on snow.

2017 Ariens Professional 21 Single Stage.

This is a new single stage snow blower that’s built for the commercial snow plow operator. Why do they need a special snow blower?

When I owned snow plow trucks in the Chicago area we always kept a single stage snow thrower with us in the pickups. We’d clear the driveways and parking lots and then pull the snow thrower out and clean up around the mailboxes, sidewalks and in front of businesses. It was so much faster than using a snow shovel. We were very hard on these snow blowers – throwing them into the truck and dropping them on the pavement. At the time (mid 90’s) there was only one model that would hold up for more than one season.

To make a long story short, a while back Ariens found that many of the snow plow operators were still clearing snow the same way. Clear the large areas with the truck and then clean up with the single stage. Because of that, they introduced the single stage Path Pro a few years ago. It has been a good machine at a good price point but the Professional Operators still wanted something more rugged. More metal, longer lasting paddles, easy service and easier to get in and out of the truck.

Professional 21 inch Single Stage: This a is a newly designed single stage snow thrower that is purpose-built specifically for the snow contractor but it has many features homeowners may like. Many snow contractors carry a snow thrower in the back of their plow truck for cleaning up corners and sidewalks. These snow throwers are often just tossed in and out of the truck and don’t last long. Because of that, the Professional 21 was constructed with strength, durability, and lightweight in mind. The new design includes metal reinforced housing sides. Large, high impact wheels and a reinforcing steel rod inside the auger housing to help with the durability. The Smart Lift handle design allows a single person to lift the machine in and out of a truck with ease. One of the features I really like is a heavy-duty spring-loaded scraper bar to adjust to the contours of the ground. In addition, the Professional 21 snow thrower also features commercial grade auger paddles. These paddles that are twice as thick as residential single stage snow throwers and you can tilt the machine up so it cleans stuck on snow off the hard surfaces. All this without increasing the weight.

Pro 21 Smart Lift

Reinforced Steel Housing. Not just stampings in the sides for rigidity but also steel rods to give it extra strength. You will be able to wear down the side of the housing and the rod will keep it from wearing too far.

These auger paddles are much thicker than other brands.

Easy to maintain open engine design. Larger wheels than the only other competing commercial snow thrower.

2017 Ariens Path Pro Single Stage Snow Throwers

THE SINGLE-STAGE BLOWER THAT PERFORMS LIKE A TWO-STAGE.

In my opinion, if the Path Pro with the 208ss Ariens AX engine had the same intake height as the Toro SnowMaster 724 you would not be able to tell the difference in snow clearing ability.

It’s lightweight and easy to move. But it’s no lightweight. With a beastly Ariens-built engine, a 12.2” housing height and 8.375” paddles, the Path Pro clears up to 9” of snow all the way to the pavement. Available electric start. Blows snow up to 35 feet and features a clearing width of 21”. Starting at an affordable $399.

Like this:

Related Articles

About The Author

About Paul Sikkema
Paul Sikkema has been writing about snow blowers, riding mowers and other lawn and garden equipment for over 10 years. Paul does most his writing out in his workshop where he feeds the wildlife and birds in the yard. His goal is to have a red squirrel eating out of his hand.
He spends as much time with his granddaughter as he can.

104 Comments

Brian

Hi Paul. As with everyone else, thank you so much for running an honest site with a wealth of practical information, set apart from all the bunk and clone sites out there.

Having fallen down the snowblower (thrower?) rabbit hole, I have another “here’s my situation so what do you recommend” post for you. It’s long, so grab a cup of coffee, and thanks a million in advance.

Location/weather: north-central Massachusetts. Here, it’s not so much about the annual snowfall inches (50-60) so much as the quality of the stuff. Temps often hover around freezing or swing from 10° to 42°, so there’s often heavy wet stuff +/- a layer of ice on top or in the middle.

Setting: 3-car garage with a roughly 30’x40’ asphalt parking area in front of 2 of the doors. The third is served by a gravel drive passing the garage all the way around to the back, maybe 60’, which I also want to clear. We have a nearly 400’ driveway rising about 25’ from the road, maybe a 6% grade but its steeper in the 30’ closest to the road (where the plow junk is!). We currently pay a plow, but 1. They usually don’t show up early enough, 2. They dig up the gravel drive behind the garage and I don’t let them go there anymore.

I’m pretty sold on Ariens, but am open about it. My thoughts:
– Heavy, wet snow and frequent ice (sky, plow) means I could use a more beefy unit.
– If I decide to take on the driveway, I need both width and speed so I’m not there all morning.
– Do I REALLY need a track unit or is it just cool? That bottom of the drive is a little steep but you’ve shown that big knobby wheels do fine too. If I do get a track unit, the Ariens RapidTrak makes sense (see above) but I’m not sure I want to spend a lot of extra $ for one.
– Should I favor a super high output impeller or a wider bucket? Again, we often don’t get a massive depth, but it’s often wet. What’s the SHO for?
– I like their EFI a lot, as I tend to be lazy/forgetful with fuel stabilizer, but I suppose it’s not a must. Even their carbs seem to start great, and none of my other equipment has fuel injection, so there’s that.
– I don’t want a hydrostatic drive, as I want to be able to move it when off
– I don’t care about a wider unit fitting through a door, as it’s getting stored in the barn out back
– You’ve complimented 4-bladed impellers but I noticed that Ariens units have 3-bladed impellers.
– Our snow falls aren’t usually that much at a time (>10” is uncommon) so the bucket height may not be so important, but I guess a beefier unit will tend to have a taller bucket anyway. No bucket will be as tall as a fresh plow drift from a reasonable snowfall, so I’d need to work away at it or take it partway down with a shovel.
– The driveway (which we’ll be repaving in a year or two) is a bit bumpy at the bottom and only has a minimal crown. Will I hate auto-turn?

Looks like if I forego the RapidTrak I can get a wider unit for $600 less! I was hoping to keep the price below $2000, but I’d probably spring for a tracked unit if you really felt it’d get me out of a bind or truly make the job faster/easier. Ironically, I’d need the most power, maneuverability, and grip all at the same time, at the bottom of the drive where it meets the road. (Of course, none of that matters if I just decide to do the area right around the house!)

Thanks for your input. I can’t tell you how helpful you are to us blower shoppers. Best regards.

Loading...

March 4, 2019

Paul

Hi Brian, Sorry for not getting right back. I’ve been in Chicago this week and didn’t have the time to answer any questions.

1. You do have a lot to clear. So a larger engine is always the “better” choice. A 28-inch snow blower will clean 8 feet of driveway in 2 round trips. A 30 inch will clear 8 1/2 feet of driveway in 2 round trips so there really is no difference between the two. In your case, I will suggest the 28-inch models as the best choice because the slightly smaller width will make it easier to control on the rough patches in your driveway. Both widths will work well on the gravel portion.
2. If you know your snow plow drift is always higher than 22 inches purchase a set of drift cutters (an option on Platinum – Standard with the Pro series) Once you get one pass cut through the drift the drift cutters will slice the snow drift in front of the snow blower so it drops down in front of the machine. With drift cutters it can handle waist-high drifts.
3. If you typically get 10 inches or less the Platinum 28 SHO RapidTrak actually will be the fastest unit. I found the extra footprint of tracks allow it to go in a straight line better and faster than any wheeled unit – including the trigger steer power steering models from the other brands. I’ve used the RapidTrak on pavement, bad asphalt, gravel and turf with no problems. It has plenty of power, the capacity to handle heavy/wet snow and will last you 2-3 times longer than an $800-1200 snow blower. It’s well worth the money if your budget can handle it.
4. The Professional 28 has over-the-top power with the commercial Briggs engine. It’s a heavy snow blower – yet all the weight is balanced on the drive wheels so it does have a lot more traction than most other snow blowers. It will clear 15 plus inches as fast as you can walk and go up your driveway easily. (Ariens does offer chains for the Pro and Platinum models if you do have traction issues) It comes with cast iron skid shoes so there is really nothing to wear out on the machine. It will last long enough to will it to your grandkids.
5. The Platinum 30 SHO also has a large engine, so it will clear any amount of snow quickly. It’s also built to last a long, long, long time. It is lighter than the Pro so you may need chains for your driveway. Just remember, Ariens changed this snow blower in 2016 and moved the axle so the all the weight is balanced over the wheels. It does not wander around like the original (2014) model. Myself, I like the AutoTurn. (and the Toro automatic steering) Just like a shopping cart – just point the snow blower where you want it to go – no extra levers to remember to pull to get it to turn. (I have both auto-steering and trigger steer machines here and I always have a backache after using the trigger steer models from trying to turn them and forgetting to pull the triggers)
6. The Deluxe 30 and Deluxe 30 EFI will take you longer just because of the engine size. You will need chains to go up your hill most of the time. The Deluxe 24 will take you 30% longer to clear your driveway with than the RapidTrak just because of the width. For example, It will always take you 3 round trips to clear your driveway.
7. I think my comment about 3 or 4 blade impellers was in relation to MTD built snow blowers. They use paddles and a 4 blade, large engine snow blower will throw more snow than a 3-blade design. The Ariens SHO (and Toro Power Max HD) use cups instead of paddles and a larger 14-inch impeller. They have a much higher capacity and throwing distance than the paddle design on the other brands.

Loading...

March 8, 2019

Alex

Hi Paul,

Just wanted to say that you have done a great job at compiling all of the latest research on snowblowers. Recently learned today that my Troy-Built 5024 will need a new gearbox. So instead of replacing the gearbox, I’d rather replace the machine all together. I have a 2 car x 2 car driveway and a long sidewalk to clear- and am from Massachusetts. I have been researching and it seems that I am leaning towards the Classic 24. What are your thoughts on this? Would it be better to go with a Compact or Deluxe if I can swing it? I’m worried about having a gearbox issue with the Classic 24 knowing that the gearbox isnt the Cast Iron, however it seems to sound appealing otherwise.

Loading...

March 4, 2019

Paul

Hi Alex, You can get some very wet, heavy snows and the Deluxe 24 is the best choice for that type of snow. It won’t clog like your Troy-Bilt and throw the snow a lot farther than your Troy-Bilt of the Ariens Classic. It also has larger tires so it will have the traction you need to clear the snow plow drift and your long sidewalk.

Loading...

March 8, 2019

Christopher

Hi Paul, I have the opportunity to purchase an Ariens 28 Deluxe (Model 921046) that’s 1 year old and only been used 3 or 4 times for $500. Assuming it’s in as the condition as the seller says it is, would this be a good buy value-wise?

Additionally, is this blower a good fit for Cleveland, OH? My driveway isn’t long, but a have a large/wide area in the back between our house and the detached garage. Additionally, there is no lawn on the sides of the driveway (just our house and the neighbor’s), so I need to throw most of the snow forward until it’s in the street or an be thrown on the tree lawn.

Loading...

March 1, 2019

Paul

Hi Christopher, First, that is the current model snow blower. Second, you are getting an “almost new” snow blower for half price. Third, Ariens snow blowers are never discounted so it is a great deal!

It’s a good fit. The Deluxe 28 will throw snow farther than most other 24-28 inch snow blowers so it’s exactly what you need to throw all your snow to the end of the driveway. It will handle heavy/wet snow well and won’t clog. It will bust right through any snow plow drift you get. All your neighbors will be jealous…

Loading...

March 1, 2019

Tony

Hey Paul. Thanks for the wealth of information on the site. Live in Eau Claire, WI just about an hour and a half west of Minneapolis.. so get a fair amount of snow annually. I have a 12 year old Craftsman 24″ 2 stage blower that has served me well, no probs but looking for an upgrade… I have a 3 car garage so the driveway is about 3 cars wide, and 2 car lengths long with a residential sidewalk to clear in front of the house and a few paths to clear on the lawn for the dogs.

The 24″ size on the Craftsman isn’t bad, but the machine itself can only keep up with 6-8″ snow depth by taking about 1/2 passes in 1st gear, so it takes FOREVER to clear the drive it seems. It also does a poor job scraping tire packed snow off the cement, and hard pack plow piles at the end of the driveway are at times challenging when large, as the machine just wont push through it and spins its tires making for lot of effort to push it through.

Narrowing down to the Cub Cadet 2x 26″ based on price/feature ratio.. Ariens deluxe or platinum 24″, and the Toro Power Max 24″ or 26″.

First.. thoughts on 24″ vs 26″? Any significant time savings in going with the 26″?

Ariens is the front runner right now I think based on reviews, is the Platinum 24″ overkill for my application over the deluxe?

Any opinions on your top recommendation of the above models greatly appreciated!

That said, this is not a normal winter and any other year the Cub Cadet, Toro Power Max or Ariens Deluxe will handle the snow well. So,

1. My first choice is the Toro Power Max 826. It has automatic steering and handles heavy/wet snow very well. I don’t recommend the 824 because without the power steering it’s a lot harder to use. I suggest going to Eau Claire lawn and tell Jason I sent you. You can also ask him what’s best and I trust him to tell you which one is best for you.
2. My second choice is the Ariens 24 Deluxe or if you have the room in your garage the Deluxe 28. They have plenty of power for our winters and will easily bust through the snow plow drift. They won’t clog on wet or sloppy snow. My favorite Ariens dealer is Barstow Street Automotive. (The Platinum 24 gives you over-the-top power. If you get deep plow drifts it walks right through them faster than any other snow blower)
3. My third choice is the Cub Cadet 2X26. It will be a little slower than the Ariens or Toro and it will plug on heavy/wet snow. I have the Troy-Bilt version of it here and I use it a lot for lighter 2-10 inch snows. Farm & Fleet is out of them for the year. I don’t know if Fleet Farm has any left.

Loading...

February 24, 2019

Tony

Great advice thanks! You must be in the Chippwa Falls area then… what a crazy winter we are having! Usually the Craftsman I have is just fine, but could use a bit further throw and something that tackles 6+ inches and the plow pile at the street a bit faster.

Sounds like the Toro 26″ and Ariens Deluxe 24″ will be the final contenders then. I bought my Toro personal pace lawnmower from EC Lawn, so will check them out.

Assuming both the Toro and Ariens are equally powerful, what puts the Toro ahead of the Ariens for you? Convenience features? 26″ width? Chute adjustments?

Loading...

February 24, 2019

Paul

Hi Tony, They are both pretty equal. The Toro has the really nice joystick chute control. The Ariens has a more basic chute control but it throws the farthest. It has a 14-inch impeller – the Tor a 12 inch.

Loading...

February 25, 2019

Tony

Thanks Paul.. one last question I promise… stopped by EC Lawn today, of course no stock, so couldn’t see anything in person and have to order online through Toro.. discussed the PowerMax 826 and the HD 928. I see you have the 928… do you think it’s overkill for a residential home with a driveway and sidewalk? At most I only have to throw the width of a 2 car garage so I think either will throw far enough… but worried the 826 isn’t heavy enough, and may ride up or be too light to push through heavy pack by the mailbox or end of driveway.. the 928 is 100lb heavier, and likely won’t fit through my garage door either…. thoughts between my final 2 choices (928 and 826)? Ruled out the Ariens.. just like the Toro chute better.

Loading...

February 25, 2019

Paul

Hi Tony, The 826 won’t ride up like the Craftsman. The housing is a completely different design. The Craftsman, Troy-Bilt and Cub Cadet’s ride up because they try to push more snow into the impeller than the impeller can handle. With the front end of the Craftsman too full of snow it then wants to climb up.

Another fact. A 28-inch snow blower “just” fits through my 32-inch side door in the garage. Meaning, it is leaving scratches on the door where the skid shoes hit. My issue though is the door only opens 90 degrees. If I could open the door farther a 28 inch would go right through.

I bought the 928 because I needed to test it. It’s supposed to be a direct competitor to the Ariens Deluxe and Platinum snow blowers and the only way I could say “buy or not” was to test it myself. (I have over a dozen snow blowers sitting around most of the time to test) If I was just going to buy one for my driveway and dog yard where I live the 826 would be my top choice. 90% of the snow we get the 826 would handle it just fine – and a lot better than your old 24 inch Craftsman.

All that said, I really, really like the 928. It has the best traction of any wheeled snow blower I’ve ever tested. It has plenty of power to go through 22 inches of snow and it will blow snow right next to the snow blower or out 50-55 feet! I went over to the neighbors and cleaned their driveway out yesterday and it pushed right through a 36-inch frozen snow plow drift. He hand shovels and his shoveling is not that great so I also had to work it over 6 inches of ice with ruts – and it did it better than any other machine I used. I can honestly say it will handle 100% of the snow we will ever get.

Loading...

February 25, 2019

Tony

Just want to say thanks again for all the advice… sounds like the 826 will work just fine for me for any other winter than this one, but if I can make a little room in the garage for the 928 so I can get it out easily, it will be worth the extra couple hundred bucks and I should never need anything more and likely make the plow piles and such even easier to deal with than the 826…much appreciated! Off to do some measuring in the garage and put in an order… thanks!

Loading...

February 25, 2019

Brian

Paul. Minneapolis suburbs. 3 car garage width. 30 feet driveway in length. Can I get away with a TroyBilt, Toro, or Ariens 24? I want the Ariens SHO 30, however I don’t think my neighbors want snow in their driveways and oh, with the price tag, I don’t think I’d remain married very long. 😂. Love your articles, videos, and your passion for equipment. Thank you.

Loading...

February 28, 2019

Paul

Hi Brian, For your size driveway a 24 inch is a good size but ALL of the 24-inch snow blowers on the market except the Ariens Deluxe 24 won’t be able to throw the snow all the way across your 3-car driveway. In addition, those snow blowers will struggle with the heavy/wet snow plow drift you can get. Finally, most 24-inch snow blowers don’t have power/automatic steering so they are harder to turn than ones with steering. So, here are 3-4 I suggest.

1. Ariens Deluxe 24 (Home Depot Link) This snow blower will throw all the way across your driveway, it has automatic steering and won’t clog on heavy/wet snow. It handles the snow plow drift very well.
2. Toro Power Max 826 OAE. (Home Depot Link) This snow blower will throw all the way across your driveway, it has automatic steering and won’t clog on heavy/wet snow. It handles the snow plow drift very well. It has a single joystick chute control that’s handy if you have to move the chute a lot.
3. Troy-Bilt Storm 2665 or Troy-Bilt Storm 2860 (Home Depot Link) These snow blowers will throw snow across your driveway most of the time. They are less money than the Ariens or Toro because they do not have power steering but the 2860 has the airless tires so it does turn easier than the other brands with the regular tires. They don’t quite have the capacity of the Toro or Ariens Deluxe but they will get the job done for you. The 2860 is wider than the rest so for 2-12 inch snows it will take less time than a 24 inch. The 2860 does have hand warmers. (I have the Storm 2860 here and it cleared 20 inches of new snow quite well last month and threw the snow 30 feet.)

It’s getting late in the year so the snow blower you want may have to be shipped to the store.

Loading...

March 1, 2019

Rick LaBorde

Hi Paul, thanks for all your reviews. I have recently purchased an Ariens Pro 926060 and am curious if you have any ideas as to whether or not a cab enclosure will fit on this pro with the larger square bars on the handles? I am guessing that some modifications may need to be made to attach to the larger square tubing. Thanks for your help.
Rick

Scott olson

Hello Paul! This is my scenario: 60×24 drive+attached 12×24 parking pad. New concrete. I live north of buffalo, we dont get the regular snow from the lakes, but historically about 70-100″/yr hardly ever more than 12″ at a time. Past equipment, early 2000’s ariens 7/24c from Depot. I liked that it was easy start, not any mech probs, and never clogged. I didn’t like how much effort was required to keep it straight, and nose down, and not much traction either. ( yes shoes where set tires at proper psi) I felt like it was just to light. ( dont have the # but I COULD pick it up and put in the back of my truck, with alot of effort) also, first “gear” is way to fast. then took a used (free) mid 2000’s troy-bilt polar-blast 10.5 30″. I like the trigger steering, and that’s about it. Still requires a fair amount of physical input at the bars to keep nose down in deep snow, gone through a bunch of belts and sheer pins, poly shoot is warping and bind when remote deflection is used. First “gear”is also to fast.Is this the same as the MTD 30” model you reference on your list of blowers you don’t recommend? If so I AGREE!
I can accept that the friction wheel set up is generally just to high gear do to its nature. Hydros would be perfect,but out of my price range (under 1500) I imagine a track model would solve the traction and nose down probs but again seem to be out of my price range. Im not concerned with the cut size, I would rather prioritize the best build quality, and ease of use with in my budget and deal with what ever make, and size that ends up being. With this in mind, that leads me to the Ariens 28 deluxe SHO. but I’m concerned it will still have the inability to hold a straight line, and nose up probs that I have experienced in the past with this brand. I know the machine I want is the hydro rapid track, but the $ is just far out of my league. Any insights?

Loading...

January 24, 2019

Paul

Hi Scott, There are two main reasons why the front end wants to ride up. 1. There is a broken shear pin in the front auger. 2. The snow blower is moving forward faster than the design of the snow blower will allow snow through the machine. In your case, both of the snow blowers you had don’t have the capacity (design) to handle the amount of snow you are trying to push through them and the front rides up.

The Deluxe 28 SHO (and the Platinum 24 SHO) are a completely different design than the snow blowers you had. They have larger 14-inch impellers so they have more capacity. They have a different housing design and they have all the weight over the axle. This allows them to push through deep snow without the front riding up. They both have plenty of traction to go up a set of ramps into your truck.

By-the-way: If a snow blower wants to wander in one direction all the time check the tire pressure. One tire may have too little. The new Ariens auto-turn goes where you point the snow blower but it does not automatically go in a straight line like a trigger steer. The only trigger steer with the capacity you want is the Toro Power Max HD 1028.

So, the Deluxe 28 SHO is a good choice. If you want more power for the size the Platinum 24 SHO is a great choice. If you want the capacity and traction and trigger steer the Toro 1028 is the best choice. All three of these will give you the capacity, traction, long life and minimum maintenance you want.

Loading...

January 24, 2019

Scott olson

Ended up getting the platinum 24, I wish the had a SHO 24 In the deluxe line, that would have been perfect. The 28″sho deluxe seemed nice, but for another 200$ the platinum checked all the boxes. 5 years down the road I’m sure I’ll forget what I even paid for it but I will notice the performance everytime I use it! In my first use, it seems that they upsized the diameter of the friction wheel to get a lower 1st gear ratio, I’m happy with the range of speeds1,2,3 are very usable yet 6th is still good for transport. The next storm is tracking way farther north than they originally thought and I should have a fresh 12-20″ of snow to test the machines capacity. I thank you for all the research and information you have provided on the website, can I purchase maintenance kits/poly shoes ect through you through amazon to help support your efforts?

Loading...

January 29, 2019

Neil

Hi Paul,

Thanks for all of your hard work – love all of the information that you’ve provided!

Currently in between two snowblowers for a new purchase. I live in Buffalo, NY, so we do get a good amount of lake effect per year. I’m currently using an old Murray 24/5 which does the job – but it does the job very slowly and can’t handle much wet snow. I’m set on a price point of on or about $1700.00 and am between the Ariens Deluxe 30 EFI and the Troy Bilt Arctic Snow 34 (the 30 seems to be out of production currently after a recent chat I had with Troy Bilt). Ideally I’d like the blower to last 15+ years so I’m viewing this as a long term investment rather than just a “new toy”.

Thoughts on which blower you’d prefer when considering functionality, longevity, etc.? I love the single hand operation of the Arctic Snow 30/34 but otherwise the features are pretty much the same (but for the EFI, obviously).

Thanks so much!

Neil

Loading...

January 21, 2019

Paul

Hi Neil, If you bought the Murray new you know how to maintain a snow blower. So, the Troy-Bilt will last just as long. You will need to replace the auger and drive belts every 5 years or so – replace the friction disk every 10 years or so – and shear pins based on what you hit. I strongly suggest with the Troy-Bilt to use fuel stabilizer all the time or use non-ethanol fuel.

You will be able to will the Ariens to your grandkids… The Ariens will need a new EFI battery every 7-10 years and new belts every 15 years or so. It usually doesn’t break shear pins unless you run a rock through it.

Loading...

January 21, 2019

Neil

Thanks Paul!

I think I’ve decided on the Ariens Deluxe 30 EFI due to build quality. Quick question as you’ve used the machine: when compared to models with larger engines, does it handle wet snow well? I don’t need need a 20 foot wet snow launch, just don’t want to deal with chute jams like I currently have with my old Murray.

Thanks again!

Neil

Loading...

January 24, 2019

Paul

Hi Neil, Yes the Deluxe series Ariens won’t clog on heavy wet snow. It will even throw slush better than the rest.

Loading...

January 24, 2019

Bob Pagano

Paul:

I have a Platinum 24″ and the chute system is a disaster. I have had it repaired several times and it continues to malfunction e.g., the direction level allows the chute to swing from side to side uncontrollably and the deflector height adjustment doesn’t work. I had similar problems with my previous Ariens and I wondering if this is a common problem with this brand?

Bob

Loading...

January 21, 2019

Paul

Hi Bob, I had a 2014 Platinum here and the chute control was too fast and felt flimsy also. That said, I had a 2017 Platinum model last year and the control has been updated and it works a lot better! It’s a lot more solid.

They are not the only brand who’s upgraded their chute controls on their high-end machines. Cub Cadet did it last year, Toro did it this year and Husqvarna is doing it for 2019.

Loading...

January 21, 2019

Ross

I love your objective un-biased thoughts and reviews. There is no wading through BS to get an honest review. I live in east central Iowa in the country and have a gravel circle drive that tends to drift in a couple spots. I was thinking a Deluxe 28 would be a good fit but now wonder if an SHO model with the bigger engine would be better, or jumping to a 24″ Platinum with its even larger motor. Thoughts? I currently have an Airens 722 but it is way too small for sedan height drifts and gravel.

Loading...

January 20, 2019

Paul

Hi Ross, I was born and raised around Clinton, have inlaws around Parkersburg and spent many, many hours transporting my mother to Iowa City Hospitals so I’m very familiar with the snow and drifts you get out there. (Walcot has the best apple dumplings!)

The Deluxe 28 is adequate but you will really like the extra power and longer throw of the 28 Deluxe SHO. The Platinum series does have over-the-top power so it will power through those hard packed drifts the best. Put a set of the optional drift cutters on it and it will cleanly cut through 3-4 foot drifts. If you have a lot of area to clear you may even want to move up to the Platinum 30 SHO.

Loading...

January 21, 2019

James

Hi Paul, thank you for this site and your help.
I live in Maine. What do you think of a 5 year old Deluxe 28 for $750? It looks like new in the photos.
Have there been significant changes in the last 5 years?
Thanks
James

Loading...

January 11, 2019

Paul

Hi James, Yes, there has been one major change. The original Deluxe 28’s are good snow blowers but they wanted to wander around and a lot of people complained they were hard to steer. So Ariens redesigned the trans (moved the axle forward) so the unit is better balanced. You want a new design Deluxe 28 with model number of 921046.

Loading...

January 11, 2019

Paul

Hello Paul,
I live in the western suburbs of Chicago average around 40″ of snow, but with anything in Chicago we go from one extreme to the other extreme.
I have a short three car blacktop drive way with a sidewalk across the property. I also clear a path to the back with a steep grass slope (walk out basement) to clear my patio in the back.
I received a Toro single stage as a gift at Christmas but plan to upgrade to a two stage. From what I can tell the single stage will work 90 percent of the time but I figured for a few hundred bucks more, I can get a nice two stage that will handle the extreme and last longer.
My top two choices based on my limited research:
Cub Cadet 2X 26″ vs Ariens Deluxe (probably 24 but maybe 28″).
Cub Cadet was your top recommendation for a 26″ and the Ariens Deluxe was your top recommendation for the 24″. If you had to compare the two, which on would you recommend?
Note: the Cub Cadet is recommended by many sites. However, although it has an all steel shoot, it is attached by a plastic housing. Also noticed the dash is plastic with many cables. Seems like the Ariens Delexe is more solid but not sure if that is perception or over engineering. The Cub Cadet has dual LED headlights and the Ariens has a single halogen (seem like old technology). I can get 15% off the floor model for Aeriens so it is about the same price as the Cub Cadet + or – depending on the 24″ or 28″ version.
Thoughts?
-Paul

Loading...

January 8, 2019

Paul

Hi Paul, either snow blower will work for your area but the Ariens won’t plug on heavy, wet snow. It will also throw snow considerably farther than the Cub Cadet. The Ariens is just a simple, well-built, all metal, heavy-duty snow blower. Yes, everyone but Ariens has switched to LEDs. Ariens still uses a halogen light because that light is specifically designed for use in a snow blower and is brighter than you may think.

Loading...

January 10, 2019

T.O. Beadle

Do any of the single-stage snow blowers have electric start? I’m not sure I have the strength to pull a recoil start.

I had a large 2-stage Ariens snow blower for many years, but it became too heavy for me to manage. It had electric start which was good because I was never able to get it started with the manual recoil start!

Loading...

January 7, 2019

Paul

Hi T.O. All but the cheapest single stage snow blowers have electric start. Look for the 110v plugin on the back of the snow blower. My first choice for single stage is the Toro 721 E.

Loading...

January 7, 2019

Scott

Happy New Year Paul, – just found your website and been pouring over it all day. Here in NH with consistent snowy winters and frustrated with our plow service reliability. We have a 400′ driveway with various grades. Have a 2006 Ariens 926, but is cumbersome on our terrain and takes a long time to clear snow. Would a new wider blower with power steering serve us better?

Also, we mow about 2 acres and currently using a 2007 Craftsman LT300 that is going to need to be replaced soon. Looking at our seasonal needs, do you recommend a tractor that has snow moving capabilities? Or stick to equipment that does its best work solely for each season? Interested in your perspective.

Loading...

January 1, 2019

Paul

Hi Scott, For your area, a tractor mounted snow blower is not the best choice. First, you need a heavy-duty Garden Tractor, Snow Blower, weights, chains and probably a snow cab. So, you are looking at $4500. In addition, installing the snow blower and then removing it in the spring is a 4 hour job the first time and then an hour or more each time it comes off and on. Plus, these snow blowers work well for 12 inches or less but if you get heavier snows they have a habit of breaking the main drive belt. The belts are $70 and if you don’t have an extra one hanging in your garage you can be looking at a 2-3 week wait. Finally, you have to be mechanically inclined to put the snow blower on and off and change the belt out in the cold.

I normally recommend a 28 inch snow blower. They are easier to handle and two round trips will easily clear an eight-foot path on your driveway. So here are a few suggestions:

1. If you think you may have traction issues with the grades the best choice is the Ariens Platinum 28 RapidTrak or Ariens Pro RapidTrak. These snow blowers have great traction and the Pro version will clear any snow as fast as you can walk. Check them out here: Ariens RapidTrak.

2. If a wheeled unit will work there are three. Ariens Deluxe 30 EFI, Toro Power Max HD 1028, Toro Power Max HD 1232. These units are less expensive than the RapidTraks, they won’t be quite as fast but will get the job done for you much faster than the old Ariens 926.

Feel free to check out TodaysMower.com later to find the best mower for you!

Hi Paul one last question please. What do you think about tire chains? We have a sloped driveway in back and with a 6″ or so snow a few weeks ago my brand new Deluxe 28 SHO slipped quite a bit getting up the drive. It wasn’t real bad and I am able to plan the blowing so I am going down that hill or across it, still it was kind of a pain. However, I have a brand new $10,000 asphalt driveway and I’m worried chains will mark it up. Meanwhile the 28 SHO was awesome. I could not believe how far it through the snow. I had to be careful not to hit my neighbors house or cars going down the road. 🙂

Loading...

December 28, 2018

Paul

Hi Deke, Yes, the SHO models are so awesome. I live along a busy road and people will stop to watch it throw snow!

Tire chains were used extensively 30 years ago because no one made a good deep tread snow tire for snow blowers. Tire chains are still available as an option for Ariens and Toro snow blowers but they will scratch your new driveway.

Before you buy chains and scratch your driveway I suggest installing the Ariens poly skid shoes. They glide better than the metal shoes and may just give you what you need to go up your hill.

Loading...

December 28, 2018

Deke

Hi Paul, I’m having trouble replying directly to your answer to my question about chains, but as a FYI, after the first run and snow I did install the poly skids (mainly worrying about scratching up the driveway) so I will hold off on chains and see how it goes. Thanks again!

Loading...

December 29, 2018

John

Hi Paul – I’m getting ready to purchase a new snowblower within the next week. I currently have a 20 plus year old Mastercraft (MTD) 12/33 that has reached its end. I live in northern Ontario where we average a modest 120 inches of shops per year. I have a steep concrete interlock driveway 2 cars wide and 3 cars deep. My biggest concern is the EOD mess the city plow leaves me. It leaves a lot of snow in front of my house and it accumulates over the winter narrowing the road and entrance to my driveway so I would like to get rid of this. My research has led me to the Platinum 28 Rapidtrak. Unfortunately my Ariens dealer doesn’t have one so he’s offering me the Hydro Pro 28 Rapidtrak with a good discount (450 over price of Platinum). Both machines are probably more than I need but is it worthwhile to step up to the commercial Hydro Pro to get the bigger engine and hydrostatic transmission? Also, how is the traction in both track mode and dig modes. In dig mode it appears not much track is touching the road so I’m wondering about slippage/spinning?

Loading...

December 16, 2018

Paul

Hi John, In Wheel mode, all the weight of the snow blower is balanced over the axle so it will have a little more traction than your old wheeled machine. With the snow blower in track mode, it will have more traction and you’ll quickly see that it will go through the EOD stuff easily in that mode. Going up the hill just lift up on the handles about an inch and the tracks will lock into dig-in mode. That puts all the weight of the snow blower on the rear of the tracks so it has the most traction possible. In that mode, it will go up a concrete driveway that is too slippery for you to walk on.

The larger engine on the Pro model is a commercial grade motor. It’s made to last 2-3 times longer than a residential engine. The hydro in the Pro model is also a commercial grade unit. It will never wear out and I really, really like how easy the snow blower is to control with it. With a little practice, you won’t use the clutch lever at all except for starting and stopping the machine. The lever is located right by your hand and it’s very easy to use.

Is it worth it? With the larger engine and hydro it will be a lot faster than your old snow blower. With the heavy-duty components in the Pro unit, you will never have to buy another snow blower. With the discount – it’s a great deal!

Loading...

December 16, 2018

Jason

Hi Paul, I’m in the market for a new snowblower. Currently using a 2006 Husqvarna 10530SBE to do a large residential property that has two homes on it. we share a driveway that is a long 300ft gravel driveway with the parking area accommodating atleast 4 to 6 cars and also a utility trailer that we snow blow out incase we need to haul anything.

I also snowblow a 60ft path to the other house on property which is lawn. Snow blow about 2 cars wide so can drive right on lawn and park when frozen right to house and be able to back up and turn around to leave afterwards. And probably another two strips of about 50ft each (snowblower width) walking paths for the fuel guy to deliver fuel to each property.

I was curious if it would be beneficial for me to fork out the money for the Rapidtrak Hydro Pro, or Pro 28 or do you think a Platinum 30 SHO or Platinum RapidTrak is sufficient. Live in Upstate NY and right outside the Canadian Border and live on a river bed.

Right now when I do the entire thing I’m out there blowing between 2 to 3 hrs touching up everything. Depending on snowfall of course. Thank you for any info you can provide.

Loading...

December 14, 2018

Paul

Hi Jason, The Platinum 30 SHO will give you a lot more power than your old snow blower. It will also throw farther. So – if you never had problems with traction that’s a good choice.

The Platinum RapidTrak will have about the same power as your old machine. That’s usually enough but where you live I’ve been told that you can get a lot of snow so you may want to look at the Pro Rapidtrak instead.

The Pro Rapidtrak will give you all the power you could ever need and the traction to push through any snow including hard packed, wind-blown drifts. I wouldn’t be surprised if it cut you clearing time in half.

Loading...

December 14, 2018

Jason

Hi Paul,
I went to my Ariens dealer today and he is going to call company to see if there are any financing options for 2019 yet since I missed out on the 2018 promotions for 0% for 18months or 36months. If I can get a deal on that I will order the Rapid Trak Pro for my property. I will keep you posted what I find out.

Loading...

January 4, 2019

Jason

I ordered the Rapid Trak 28 Pro. Ended up getting 0% for 36 months one of the Ariens cards so that will help me finance it. Thank you for the input and videos on YouTube. Really helped out my decision making. Can’t wait for it to come in. Right now in Upstate NY not much snow but storms are coming in soon.

Loading...

January 9, 2019

Jim

Pail,

I live in the Boston area. I am just about to pull the trigger on the Platinum 30 SHO (non EFI) with 414cc AX engine. I wanted to go with the bigger engine assuming I’d never regret the extra power and it will work a little less on average storms. I have not seen many comments on the Platinum 30 SHO. Any feedback on this model? Any issues with auto turn on the wider model? How does the AX 414cc compare to the B&S 420cc?

Loading...

December 9, 2018

Paul

Hi Jim, Ariens fixed the autoturn on the platinum models in 2016. I used one of the revised versions and it does a great job. Most people stay with a 28 inch because they are a little easier to use for themselves and their spouses.

The AX414cc is a residential engine. It will last you the life of the snow blower using it for your home The 420cc Briggs on the Ariens Pro models is a commercial engine. Commercial snow blowers do more in a day than a residential model will do in a year so correspondingly it’s designed to last 3-4 time longer than the residential models.

I didn’t get a lot of snow that year so I only made one video using it.

Loading...

December 9, 2018

Brian Buoniconti

Hi Paul – Great site; Lots of excellent information!

I am just about ready to pull the trigger on a new snowblower and am torn between a few Ariens models.

I live in the Boston area, so certainly plenty of snow and I’m trying to decide between the Deluxe 28 SHO or the Platinum 24 SHO. I have driveway that’s about 2 cars wide and 3 cars long. Is the larger engine on the Platinum worth the couple of hundred extra dollars and giving up the 4 inches on the 28 Deluxe? Or would you suggest even considering going to the Platinum 30 SHO?

Thanks!

Loading...

November 27, 2018

Paul

Hi Brian, The Deluxe 28 SHO will do the job and many people like it for your area. It’s a very capable snow blower for heavy/wet snow. On the other hand, the Platinum 24 SHO has over-the-top power and will throw all your snow a long way and do it quickly. With the extra power, it will most likely clear your driveway of 12-20 inches just as fast and the wider Deluxe 28 SHO.

So, do you want the most power to handle any snow or do you want the wider width so you can get done faster on those pesky 2-10 inch snow? Either way your neighbor’s will be jealous.

Loading...

November 27, 2018

Brian

Thanks, Paul. I think I am leaning towards the Platinum 24 since heavy snow is not uncommon and the extra four inches on the Deluxe likely would only save me a pass or two in clearing out a lighter storm.

If money were no object, which of those two would you choose?

Loading...

November 29, 2018

Paul

Hi Brian, I’d go with the Platinum. It has more power-per-inch of any snow blower!

Loading...

November 29, 2018

Moe

Hi Paul. I have a single stage Toro power clear that’s a few years old. I’m looking for a good Two stage snow blower that will last and is durable. I live in Chicago and have a long but narrow driveway. Due to my neighbors house being real close I have to push the snow into the street and it is impossible to do with a single stage. I also have several seniors that are my neighbors so I usually clean the sidewalks in front of a few houses. Can you recommend a good two stage that is reliable and durable. Hopefully something made in the US. I’m looking for something under $2000.00 but willing to spend a little more if it’s worth it. I want to mention that I have a bad back so anything that is easy to maneuver is a plus. Especially in tight spaces.

Loading...

November 25, 2018

Paul

Hi Moe, If you want a snow blower that always throws a long way then the best choices are the Ariens Deluxe/Platinum Series and the Toro PowerMax HD series. They are the best for what you want to do. I’ll start with the lowest price and work up to the most expensive.

Myron Stelmaschuk

Hey Paul thanks for the excellent advice on the Ariens Deluxe 28 and the quick reply!

I did actually retest the snowblower and I believe the snow was not deep enough to maximize it to its capacity.

I went onto my back lawn with the snow was deep in it certainly threw it at the right distance

What I did notice is that as the snow got deeper it does bog down a little bit suggesting I would like something with a bit more power but I only have a small residential application so it’s probably not worth it

Also the interesting thing is on the shoes the screws do not seem to be machined properly where it inserts into the bucket as it comes in at an angle. Have you ever come across that before. One side is machined properly and fits quite well and the other one comes into the bucket at a bit of an angle because the drilling of the square is not congruent with the peace that is welded on at the back

I hate taking things back for the sake of that and hardly ever take anything back but it does seem to be a problem when switching the shoes to the nonabrasive ones. Because the bolt does not fit properly into the square recessed area the shoe slips on one side

I could send a picture if you wanted to see it

Otherwise the unit is great but if I take it back I think I would get one with higher horsepower

Myron Stelmaschuk

On Nov 24, 2018, at 06:50, MovingSnow.com wrote:

New comment on MovingSnow.com

Paul commented on 2017 Toro Snow Blower Review – What’s New – Which One Is Best For You?.

in response to Myron Stelmaschuk:

I bought the Ariens Deluxe 28 and there must be a defect. It only threw the snow 1-2 feet. I’ve had a craftsman for 8 years and it’s dead. Going to take back to Home Depot and get the same unit. Must have been an unlucky defect of some type? Wondered about the Toro 826 … Continue reading “2017 Toro Snow Blower Review – What’s New – Which One Is Best For You?”

Hi Myron, Unless the snow you were trying to throw was sloppy wet – when you stepped in it, it splashed – it should throw it up to 40 feet. Also, if you are only trying to clear 2-3 inches it won’t throw the snow too far. If neither one of those is the case then it does sound like you have a defective one. The next one you get will work just fine.

The 826 OXE will be about the same for capacity and throwing distance.

Paul

Hi Myron, I’m not going to make any excuses for Ariens but I have to say their quality control is much better than some of the other brands. That said, even with the best quality control – when you are making 150,000 plus snow blowers a year once in a while something like this will slip through. That said, I will send you issue to Ariens so they can check that point in the assembly process more closely in the future.

Personally, I have a square file in my toolbox and I’d just fix the hole myself instead of returning the machine. You can always use a regular bolt if the carriage bolt won’t hold. The bolt head sticking out inside the auger housing won’t hit anything or get in they way of the snow.

If you take it back the next size up is the Deluxe 28 SHO. The next step after that is the Ariens Platinum 30 SHO. Both of these are dealer only models.

Loading...

November 24, 2018

Deke

Hi Paul, thank you very much for your site and all the work here. It is a real jungle out there and tough to find trustworthy information. I picked up a Ariens Deluxe 28 SHO and I think this is the right compromise in size, power, maneuverability and price for our 200′ long drive (100′ one car, then widens to three car). I ordered them any way, but what do you think about the polyethylene skids? People seem to say they make the auto turn work better, but I was mainly concerned with scratching up our $10,000 worth of new asphalt. Thanks again!

Loading...

November 14, 2018

Paul

Hi Deke, Yes, I highly recommend the Ariens poly skid shoes. They won’t scratch your new driveway, pavers or brick patios. Your new Deluxe 28 SHO s balanced well so you won’t notice a big difference when turning the snow blower. It now works wonderfully with either the steel or poly shoes.

Eli

Hi Paul,
Appreciate all of your insight. It appears as though you highly recommend Ariens in many circumstances. I’m in Manchester NH and have two driveways, each probably probably a car-and-a-half wide and 50 feet long, very slight slope on one. I’m at a T-intersection opposite the T, so the end of driveway pile is a little taller than everyone else’s because of the extra snow from the intersection. I’m looking to keep the snowblower bucket on the smaller size because my wife is 5’ and may need to use it once and a while. My gut tells me that the Ariens 24 Deluxe will do the job I need, but my tendency to want the best tells me to just pull out all the stops and go for the Platinum 24 EFI. I know that either will be better than the shovel I’m currently using :)…if I go with the Platinum non-EFI and use fuel stabilizer, Tru-Fuel, etc. will it Be the same effect as going with the EFI?

Paul

Hi Eli, Yes, I do recommend the Ariens Deluxe or Platinum snow blowers most of the time for the NorthEast. The Ariens Deluxe or Platinum and the Toro PowerMax HD snow blowers handle the heavy/wet snow you can get the best. Manchester gets more snow than average and you can really get dumped on once in a while.

The Ariens Deluxe 24 will do the job for you. It won’t clog and will throw the snow well away from your driveway. The Platinum will be faster because it gives you over-the-top power to handle any snow. In addition, it has a nice 4-way chute control and hand warmers. The EFI model adds Electronic Fuel Injection so it starts every time and is not affected by old fuel like the carburated gas engines. It also applies the needed torque quicker than a carb model so the engine won’t lug down as quickly clearing the really heavy stuff. It will throw snow 50 feet or more and make ALL your neighbors jealous!

Loading...

November 19, 2018

Eli

Hi Paul, thanks for the insight. If I do not go with the EFI, and treat the gas as you suggest, do I need to do any other kind of maintenance on a carb engine that an having the EFI would eliminate?

Loading...

November 23, 2018

Paul

Hi Eli, No, treat your fuel. When you are done turn off the fuel shutoff and let the engine run out of fuel. That’s about it.

Loading...

November 23, 2018

Eli

Took delivery of a Ariens 24″ Platinum EFI today! Now all I need is some snow to try it out! I’m excited!! Thanks for your help!

Loading...

December 20, 2018

Todd Wellington

Hi Paul,

Thanks for this site. I’ve spent many hours (too many really) trying to decide what my next snowblower should be.

I currently have a 28″ Toro Power Max that is 20 years old. I’m really liking the EFI aspect of the Ariens and would like to purchase one. I’m surprised that the price has not decreased from March through today.

I live on Long Island and have a 2 car driveway. I also plow out my 2 neighbors. What model Ariens with EFI do you suggest?

Thanks in advance,
Todd

Loading...

November 5, 2018

Paul

Hi Todd, The Ariens Deluxe 30 EFI is a good choice for 2-car driveways. It will clear the drive in 3 round trips or so.

If a 30 inch is too big for storage the Ariens Platinum 24 SHO EFI will take about 15% longer just because it’s narrower. Both will handle that heavy/wet stuff you get a lot of.

Loading...

November 5, 2018

Mike Ciura

Paul – I am having the hardest time deciding between Ariens Pro 28, Ariens Pro 28 RapidTrak and Honda HSS 928. Full disclosure, I currently have an ancient HS55 that I love but has met its end. I have loved the tracks for my normal, subdivision driveway with 3 car widths. I am mostly concerned with the piles at the street and durability; I want this thing to last and ease the removal process. I live in a suburb of Buffalo, NY and get wet, heavy snow fairly regularly. I am looking for one of those rare beasts that can occasionally handle slush.

Loading...

November 4, 2018

Paul

Hi Mike, I really do understand how much you’ve liked your old Honda. It throws snow in a beautiful arc and pushes through any snow drift. How would you like to move twice as much snow in the same amount of time, still have the snow throwing range your neighbors are all jealous of, have more traction than your old machine and also the agility of a wheeled unit? That’s what the Ariens Pro 28 RapidTrak offers.

I know the Ariens will last as long as your old Honda and then some. I really like how well it handles wet snow and the end-of-driveway drifts. It will not plug trying to throw slush. Have you seen these two videos I made last year?

Mike Ciura

Hi Paul- Yes, I have watched those videos, numerous times. After some time with it, how did you feel the rapid trak turns at the end of a pass in track mode? Any better than traditional tracks with auto turn? My major hesitation at his point is price. Thanks again, great site and reviews!

Loading...

November 4, 2018

Paul

Hi Mike, It is so much easier to use than the 3-point tracks with auto turn that I really don’t know why Ariens still sells the 3-point. It’s also so much easier to use than trigger steer track drives. Why?

1. The RapiTrak is balanced so when you push down on the handles to lift the front up there is almost no weight. Anyone can drive it.
2. When you push down on the handles and lift the front up 4 inches the idler part of the RapidTrak locks up. (the smaller back wheels) Then all the weight of the machine is on the big drive wheels and it turns just like a wheeled unit. With the tracks in that position, even a 12-year-old can turn it.
3. After the turn just pull the lever under the right handle and the tracks drop down. It’s then in float. The auger housing floats over obstructions and the rear tracks give you traction – but it’s not hard to steer. In this position, you can clear 14 inches of Buffalo Lake Effect as fast as you can walk! I’m not exaggerating. With the big engine and commercial SHO impeller, there is no other walk-behind snow blower that can match it for capacity and speed.
4. If you have driven on snow or a frozen snow plow drift you can lock the front od the snow blower down. Just lift the handles about 3/4 inch and the rear tracks lock into dig-in mode. Last year I had to clear a 3-foot snow plow drift that had been sitting for a couple of months so I could get my septic tank pumped. The RapidTrak had plenty of traction to push thru that frozen pile and clean it quickly. I have a Husqvarna ST330T that didn’t have enough traction to clear that drift.

If you could use this side by side to the Honda HSS 28 or HSS 32 you’d pick the Ariens every time. Not just for performance but also for build quality and durability.

If the price is outside your budget Ariens does have a Platinum 28 SHO RapidTrak. It has the 369cc engine and a 5-speed friction drive. It still has the dual belt impeller and the build quality you want. It will also last as long as your old Honda. It’s $2399

Loading...

November 5, 2018

Andy

Hi Paul – Would appreciate your input. Looking for a snow blower to handle my all-gravel driveway that includes 500+ feet that is straight and slightly hilly and also a flat gravel circle in front of the house. I live in an area that averages ~20″ snow a year (Martinsburg, WV) – some years have have very little and others might have significant snowfall.

Was initially considering a new Ariens Deluxe 30 and the MTD-made 30″ 2 stage models, but I am open to other brands/models that would be more appropriate. Any thoughts?

Should I stick with new or consider used? Due to the mild winters, I can find plenty low hour 28″ and 30″ Cub Cadet, Craftsman, Troy-Bilt, etc. models (2010 and newer) in the area. As far as I can tell, the primary difference is that the newer ones might have the joystick.

If it helps inform your recommendation – even though my snows may be infrequent, I am capable of taking care of a carbureted engine.

Any guidance is appreciated.

Thanks,
Andy

Loading...

November 3, 2018

Paul

Hi Andy, The Ariens Deluxe is a good choice. But, with the automatic steering, it may not be the best choice if you have potholes or a crowned driveway. For that long of driveway I suggest a snow blower with trigger steering. With trigger steer, the snow blower goes straight until you use a trigger under the handle to turn it.

Sear Craftsman, Lowes Craftsman, and Cub Cadet’s 2-stage 30 inch is only a 12-inch system and it does plug quickly if you get heavy/wet snow. Cub Cadet heavy-duty 30-inch model is a 3-stage and I don’t recommend a 3-stage for the amount of snow you get. (It will make a mess in 2-6 inches of snow)

Loading...

November 3, 2018

Andy

Thanks Paul. Took a quick look at the Troy-Bilt. Are there any more economic models that you could recommend? Unfortunately I can’t seem to find one of those used either. Not looking for a unicorn but rather something that might require a bit more effort for the infrequent times it is used with a lower price point

Thanks again.

Loading...

November 3, 2018

Paul

Hi Andy, I don’t recommend used – period. A used snow blower is either 40 years old or it needs a new carb or at the least new belts, oil and spark plug. If you are a mechanic and can troubleshoot and do the work yourself – fine. But if you have to have a repair shop work on it you can quickly get $200-500 in repairs and still have a used machine.

You won’t find a used Arctic Storm. They are too new and people will keep them for years.

I don’t have any cheaper suggestions. You have 3-4 times more driveway than the average homeowner and you will quickly wear out a cheaper machine. I wouldn’t be doing the job everyone expects me too if I suggested snow blowers that only last 2-3 years.

Loading...

November 3, 2018

Andy

Thanks again for your insights. Will stick with an appropriate machine for the job.

Loading...

November 3, 2018

Paul

Hi Andy, You won’t find a used Arctic Storm. They are too new and people will hold on to them for many years.

I don’t recommend used snow blowers unless you can troubleshoot and repair your own gas-powered equipment. A new carb or any other service on a used snow blower can easily run $200-500 if you have a repair shop do the work.

Other than the Ariens Deluxe I really don’t have any other cheaper suggestions. You have 3-4 times more driveway to clear than the average homeowner and anything cheaper won’t last more than a year or two. I wouldn’t be doing the job everyone expects of me if I just gave you a suggestion to make a sale and the snow blower only lasted 2-3 years.

Loading...

November 3, 2018

Mark

Paul, thanks again from all of us trying to make good choices. You truly do a wonderful service. I live in Erie, PA and we had 5’ of snow last Christmas. Yes that is feet, not inches and may be an understatement. The town was shut down for days. My old 8hp Snapper, 13 years old did it’s best but it did struggle and I was outside for hours on end for days chipping away the snow the plows buried me under with the Snapper. I have never seen snow like that in 54 years. I sold my old unit recently and am looking for a replacement. We live on the edge of the snow belt where snow falls in feet very quickly. I live on the right side of the road where the plow and wing plow push about 75% of the snow on the roadway in our subdivision to those on the right side. 2 1/2 car garage under 50’ length, with slight slope. I like the 24” models as I have a side walk that I clear by the side of the house for the dog and need the compact design. The Ariens Platinum 24 with the 369cc engine will give me about 3 more hp to get through the deep stuff. My question giving the sheer volume of snow we get is twofold. One, is the 24 Platinum enough machine given we pretty much hold the record for lake effect snowfall year after year and two, is the EFI model worth the extra $. I am going to buy soon.

Loading...

November 2, 2018

Paul

Hi Mark, The Ariens Platinum 24 SHO is the most powerful 24-inch snow blower you can buy. I know you’ll be very happy with the capacity of the 14-inch impeller and the horsepower of the 369cc engine to power it. Besides that I expect the newer design of the Platinum 24 to throw snow twice as far as the old Snapper.

At 73 tons per hour, it handles more snow than about 90% of all the other snow blowers on the market.

EFI? The EFI engine won’t bog down near as quickly as a naturally carbureted engine. Plus it handles today’s crapy fuels better. I used one of the Ariens EFI last year and it started first pull every time. It is worth the extra money.

The only way you can get more power-per-inch is to go up to the 28 inch Ariens Professional with the 420cc engine or the Toro Commercial 28 with the 420 cc engine. They will handle about 79 tons per hour. The big disadvantage for you though is you lose that smaller, agile 24-inch size. In other words, I’d stick with the Ariens Platinum 24 SHO. It’s a great choice for you. Later this winter please write back to tell us how you like it!

Loading...

November 2, 2018

Mark

Thanks Paul. I purchased the 24 without EFI as I was a little cautious on the few issues reported with throttle and ignition. I plan on only running Trufuel in it and will run it dry before storing next spring. Am I ok with just Trufuel or do I need additional stabilization? My old Snapper never had an issue as I ran it dry and stored indoors all summer. I will report back when we get some lake effect.

Loading...

November 5, 2018

Paul

Hi Mark, Trufuel doesn’t need any additives. It won’t absorb moisture and there are not chemicals that go bad in it. In fact, it has a shelf life of over two years.

Loading...

November 5, 2018

Mark

Hi Paul, well that didn’t take long to report back on the new Platinum 24. I just got it yesterday. We just found ourselves in Erie, PA under about several inches of very wet heavy lake effect snow last night and are under a winter storm warning all day. We may end up with a foot or more before it is done. The kind of snow you can’t lift with a shovel. I can tell you that the Ariens went right through it with very little effort. The auto turn works nicely and in the higher gears this machine will go faster than you can walk. Even the snow that was thrown and I went back through on the sidewalk was easily moved. It does a nice job of throwing it at least 20-30 feet as well. The hand warmers are a really nice feature. Thank you again for the advice. I made a great purchase.

Loading...

November 10, 2018

Paul

Hi Mark, You are very welcome. Be sure to tell your neighbors about movingsnow.com when they come over and oogle your new machine!

Loading...

November 10, 2018

Patrick

What a great website this is! Wish I would have found it earlier in my research. With respect to the auto-turn – how does it handle all the “mini movements/turns” required to effectively clear the plow dump at the end of my driveway. Often times I can’t get to it until late in a snow storm when the plow has built up a nice 3+ foot heavy pile. I think the 28 SHO will be right for me but not being able to test it out I’m apprehensive about the auto-turn feature. thanks!

Loading...

October 17, 2018

Paul

Hi Patrick, Don’t be. I’ve cleared snow plow drifts 3 feet tall that have been settling for over a month and the autoturn works great. It has the traction to push through full-width passes and it won’t fight you if you clear half-passes at a time. You will really like how far the SHO throws that wet/heavy snow.

Loading...

October 18, 2018

Patrick Bard

Paul – I wanted to follow up. I went with the 28 SHO and we’ve already had a few storms (yes in November still!) including a sloppy / wet HEAVY mix. This machine is a beast and the auto-turn is hardly noticeable. I have already forgotten triggers even exist. Thank you for your recommendation and response to my question. I’m very happy with this machine.

Loading...

November 28, 2018

Paul

Hi Patrick, You are very welcome!

Loading...

November 28, 2018

Brian McDonough

Have a Ariens Delux 28 SHO, new last yr only used about 7 hrs. and broke auger belt. Nothing stuck in it any place. Would you know what I might have done wrong. I use it very carefully and do not force it. I go foreword & back quite a lot. Thanks, Brian.

Loading...

October 17, 2018

Paul

Hi Brian, that’s a new one. The two belts always last years and years. I strongly suggest letting the dealer where you bought from check out the machine to see if there is a bad bearing or something else wrong.

Loading...

October 17, 2018

Deke

Hello Paul, this is the BEST site in the world on snowblowers. There are so many other sources of confusion, so thank you. My question might be dumb. I have a big paved driveway – 200′ long, but half of that one car, then widening to three cars wide on a slope. I have done it with Toro Power Clear for a year and it can’t handle the big wet heavy snows. I’m sold on an Ariens Deluxe. I am worried the Deluxe 30 will be difficult to handle for me – older with some back problems – and am torn between it and the Deluxe 24 (don’t like the 28 with smaller engine). Maybe I am being too cautious. I used a super old 30″ Craftsman that was more difficult than shoveling by hand! 🙂 Seriously, if I don’t mind a few more trips up and down the drive, is this a concern?

Loading...

October 14, 2018

Paul

Hi Deke, The Deluxe 24 will take you 15-20 minutes longer each time to clear your driveway than the Deluxe 30 with a normal snow. (the 30 will do the single car area in two passes – the 24 will take three round trips.) It has plenty of power for most snows. If you get a lot of heavy/wet snow the Deluxe 30 may not be any faster because of the engine size on the Deluxe 30.

If you ALWAYS want to get done as quickly as possible take a look at the dealer only Ariens Platinum 24 SHO. It will handle heavy/wet snow almost as fast as you can walk. If you get a lot of heavy/wet stuff is the best choice on the market.

Loading...

October 14, 2018

Deke

Thanks Paul, Can I bug you with one more question please? I’m worried about handing on the Ariens. So many consumer comments/reviews on this are schizophrenic with one review saying it handles great followed by one saying it is really hard (any Ariens with auto turn). It is enough to drive a person crazy. From this I am really on the fence between an Ariens Deluxe/ Platinum SHO 24 and a Toro Power Max HD.

Loading...

October 17, 2018

Paul

Hi Deke, Ariens was the first with the AutoTurn and they realized quickly that they had to move the axle forward to balance the machine. Once they did that (three years ago) the AutoTurn works great. In fact, it’s now being used by other manufacturers and NO ONE complains about it. So, don’t read reviews more than two years old. That said,

By my guess, there are about 300,000 of the redesigned models sold now and if there really was a major issue you would be hearing a lot more people complaining than the 2 dozen or so reviews you read.

Just make sure you have the skid shoes adjusted evenly so there is the same gap under the scraper bar the entire width of the housing. Make sure your tires have the same air pressure. I personally like the AutoTurn a lot and only the 30-inch version will want to jerk around if the surface is really rough. The 24, 28 and RapidTrak all work perfectly.

Last, Please ignore the YouTube videos from the “Redneck.” He bought his snow blower from an online-only retailer and it was shipped to him in a box. He didn’t go through the set-up every dealer, Home Depot and Lowes does and because of that, the belts slipped right away. He broke a shear pin right away and didn’t realize that it was broke so he blamed the snow blower for wanted to ride up in a drift. And his biggest issue was he installed a very heavy homemade weight on the front of the snow blower that threw the balance of the machine all out of whack. (If you buy a cab – also buy the correct counterbalance weight kit from Ariens) And of course – all that was Ariens fault…

Loading...

October 17, 2018

Deke

Thanks Paul, I’m feeling better about this now. I actually don’t bother with any other snow blower review sites now – you are far more methodical! Thinking 24 SHO… we got some very heavy wet stuff last year.

Paul, thank you for all your information. You have been better than my Ariens Dealer.
I am interested in the RapidTrak machines. I hope you can give me your advice.
I live about 30 miles north of Boston. I have an asphalt driveway and walks with steps in them. Clearing the driveway has been straight forward. The walks are a different story. They are relatively wide, 6 to 12 feet, and complicated with steps. The snow has drifted in on them one and two feet high. I have been using ramps on the steps or laid on the lawn to get the traction I need to move my Ariens st824 up to the top where I can clear the drifted snow. The incline is about 16 degrees or 30%. For about 20 feet.
I looked at track units a couple of years ago and decided that the advantages were not worth the extra effort required to turn them. When I first saw the RapidTrak it looked like the perfect answer.
Based on internet research, and my driving it on dry asphalt, I have ordered the RapidTrak 28 Hydro Pro from my local dealer. I have not taken delivery yet, but I did get the manual to read and just checked out your comments on the RapidTrak 28 SHO. I chose the Pro because of I thought the Hydro transmission would be superior to the manual one and offset the weight. My dealer did not have the SHO version to look at and compare. Would you recommend that I reconsider the SHO version?
Do you have any suggestions for transitioning from asphalt to grass clearance (1/8 inch to 2 inches) in the track mode? I can put it in wheel mode, tip the chute up as needed to keep the chute from digging in and engaging the tracks when needed. When it is tipped enough to fully engage the tracks, the chute might not clear enough snow for the tracks to bite well. Do you have any sense of this?

Thank you,
Allen

Loading...

October 8, 2018

Paul

Hi Allen, I absolutely love the Ariens Hydro. What makes it so great is the lever. It’s easier to use than any other hydro I’ve tried and with just a little practice you will not have to stop to go from forward to reverse. In addition, if you want to change your speed just a finger on the lever moves it. Most of the other hydros on the market ar so stiff you have to take your hand off the handle to use them.

I’m not sure you will have any problems using the RapidTrak on turf – even with the front set at 1/8 inch. I used it extensively on turf, gravel and dirt last winter and it never had any traction problems with the tracks down, but not locked. I mow my lawn at 4 inches so there was plenty of grass for it to get stuck in – and it never did. Watch my video here: .

Loading...

October 8, 2018

Jeff

Hi Paul,

After a LOT of research, I’ve decided to go with a Platinum 24″ SHO. I just can’t my mind up whether to get the EFI or not. It’s not even so much about the cost. I want this thing to last for many many years and be easy to maintain. I don’t live close a dealer so I would want to be able to do my own maintenance.
Love to hear you opinion.
Thanks!

Loading...

October 4, 2018

Paul

Hi Jeff, If you are experienced at taking care of engines and storing them for extended periods, I suggest the carburated model. Especially since you don’t have a dealer nearby. I like the EFI a lot but I hearing a few people having problems with the throttle knob, and one that had a bad ignition circuit. They have to be troubleshot by a dealer.

Loading...

October 4, 2018

Scot

Hi Paul… I am not at all an engine guy so I just pulled the trigger on the 24 Platinum EFI. I’m praying I don’t get the throttle or ignition issue. My question if you don’t mind is on the type of gas. For my Ariens lawn mover we use only Aspen 4. Expensive but I’ve had zero issues with carburetor gum up. For the EFI closed system will Aspen 4 gas be bad for the engine vs regular gas? I read/understand reg. gas will not be exposed to air so it will not gum up the engine. No issues re: cost of Aspen so if it’s better that’s what I want to use. Love your site! Thanks in advance.

Loading...

October 19, 2018

Paul

Hi Scot, Aspen 4 is an ethanol free fuel like Tru Fuel here in the U.S. It is a great fuel – especially for storage because it doesn’t contain any chemicals that can break down over time and/or gum up the fuel system.

Aspen 4 won’t be bad for the EFI. In fact, it will work very well. If you do switch to pump gas make sure the pump gas is less than 10% ethanol and I strongly suggest adding a fuel stabilizer even with the EFI engine.

Loading...

October 19, 2018

Tom

Thank you so much Paul. Ariens it is!

Just back from a trip to upstate MA. Stopped at an ACE Hardware up there. Owner told me he has the Deluxe 28 for 3-years & loves it. His assembly guy told me he has the Deluxe 28 and it’s great — but for roughly $150 he says I should go for SHO’s bigger engine — it is well worth it.

With all your experience & knowledge — is there any other machines I should consider that would stack up to the Ariens Delux28 or Delux28 SHO?

Loading...

September 30, 2018

Paul

Hi Tom, The 28 SHO would be my choice also. You get a really good high-performance snow blower for $500 less than any other comparable snow blower.

Loading...

October 1, 2018

Owen Harrington

Paul, I have a long gravel driveway (500+). I am in the Northeast in NH. Thinking the Ariens Deluxe SHO. Will that give me many years of service and get the ob done effectively?

Loading...

September 30, 2018

Paul

Hi Owen, yes, that is a good choice and it will last you a long time. I suggest buying the cast iron skid shoes for it. They are a little wider so it won’t dig into the gravel and they will wear for years before you need to replace them.

Loading...

October 1, 2018

Tom Talocka

Hi Paul – I’m looking for a new 2018 snow blower. Central NJ heavy wet snow capabilities. Thinking of the Ariens Delux 28 or 28 SHO (921048). Also caught my eye is the Husqvarna ST327 and the Cub Cadet 3x (3526SWE) or 28″ (3528SWE). Anything you can share to help guide my decision?

Loading...

September 28, 2018

Paul

Hi Tom, That’s an easy question. Here is my opinion in order.

1. The Ariens 28 SHO won’t plug and will throw heavy snow farther than the rest.
2. The Ariens Deluxe 28 won’t plug but it doesn’t throw snow quite and far and the SHO.
3. The Husqvarna ST327 has plenty of power and distance but it will plug on wet snow.
4. 3-stage is not better than competing 2-stage snow blowers – it’s just different. Every U.S. manufacture tries to make the best snow blower for the price and or the best snow blower for certain buyers. Because of that, there have been many different designs over the years. Cub Cadet advertises the 3-stage to be better than a 2-stage but when you read the fine print the claim is against their own 2-stage snow blowers – not other brands.

Loading...

September 29, 2018

Mikey

Thank for your help Paul. I ordered the Platinum 24″ EFI. I love the SnowMaster but want something that can clear packed snow when the cars run over the drive a few times or if we get a monster storm.

I’ve always had trouble maneuvering 2 stage blowers but if this unit handles like my SnowMaster I will have no trouble. I will likely use the SnowMaster most snowfalls as it clears right to pavement on a fresh snowfall while a 2 stage leaves a skim of snow.

Thanks again and all the best,

Mikey

Loading...

September 23, 2018

I'll be glad you help you find the best snow blower. Please tell me the city, state and how large an area you want to clear. Cancel reply